Great question! A big worry for all families when preparing for birth in Helsinki, or, even more, in Uusimaa region. Where shall I go? Can I choose my hospital of preference? What are my options if I want a physiological, supported, respected birth? Some recent changes have impacted your options, so let’s discuss how the system works, your options and the main differences in Uusimaa birth hospitals.
Birth Hospitals in Helsinki & Espoo Region
We have two main birth hospitals in Helsinki & Espoo. In Helsinki, you have Naistenklinikka and in Espoo you have Jorvi. Hospitals in metropolitan areas are managed by HUS – which will be like the public “company” that manages the operations of the hospitals.
Until summer 2024 you had a third birth hospital available, Lohja. Yes, a bit more far away, but Lohja was the only hospital with the international recognition of Baby Friendly hospital. It was a beloved hospital for us doulas too, because it’s the one with a more respectful approach towards physiological, no interventions birth.
But guess what? Lohja is closed during summer 2024. And according to a recent HUS decision, they will close the unit permanently in 2026, when the new birth unit in Jorvi will be built and working to full capacity.
If you are going to give birth between summer 2024 and 2026, Lohja will still be an option available for you.
Then, can I choose my birth hospital between Helsinki or Espoo?
Yes…but also no.
You can have a hospital preference, but in the end, it will all depend on how busy the hospital is when you actually need to get there for birth.
Let’s check some real examples so you can understand perfectly how the process works. Imagine you have been at home coping with your contractions until you feel it’s time to go to the hospital. In that moment, you will phone the hospital line and let them know what’s going on. If they agree it’s time to get there, two things can happen:
- Option A, if your hospital of choice is not busy, they have space for you and your birth. They will send you there.
- Option B, if your birthing hospital of choice is busy (which is happening more and more) they will send you to other available hospital.
But, María, could be the case of all birth units in Helsinki or Espoo being full? Yes, that can happen. Before Lohja’s closure, that was another option, still very handy for families in Helsinki or Espoo as it was a short car ride (30 to 45 minutes).
In that case, you will now be referred to a hospital more far away (usually Hyvinkaa). If you have a doula with you, we can re-evaluate together, apply some more comforting / coping mechanisms and see if birth can wait an hour or two, to see if the situation changes in your preferred hospital.
And, of course, when you have a doula with you, we put our best effort on the way to the hospital, so the birth process is as less interrupted as possible.
I know all of this sounds very unlikely, but let me tell you that already in this spring and summer 2024, I have been supporting families that needed to change their hospital of preference, or had long waits for cesarean births, for example, in Naistenklinikka.
The New HUS Childbirth Phone Help Line
If you are curious, HUS announced that a new childbirth helpline is available after 10th June 2024. Before this, you had to actually call every hospital and check which was available for you.
Now you can call the childbirth phone line which is 09 471 71500
The previous phone numbers of maternity hospitals are not deactivated, but they will send you to the new HUS childbirth helpline.
The guidelines for birth by HUS still state that patients always need to call the childbirth helpline before leaving to give birth.
If you ask, who’s on the other side of the line? Experienced midwives take the calls. This is a positive change making things easier for you, but it’s also been criticized as it reduces the options for birthing persons to choose their preferred birth hospital within the metropolitan Helsinki area. And lack of transparency – how do we really know the availability of the hospitals?
What are the differences in birth hospitals in Helsinki?
Let’s now review what is different between birth hospitals in Helsinki and Espoo. First of all, let’s make one thing clear: there are amazing professionals in both birth units. But the approach to birth, installations and options for families are different.
If you wanted to try a 100% physiological birth, unmedicated and less “protocol” rigid, Lohja was the best first option. After Lohja, I will go to Jorvi. A bigger hospital, busier unit, but still the healthcare team has this loving approach to birth, respectful with birth times and birthing persons needs. Plus at Jorvi usually in postpartum most families get a family room without problems, and there’s a room with a birthing pool and some inflatable ones if you want to try water birth.
What about Naistenklinikka? Good option too. They have the best NICU unit, for example. So for birthing people with potential complications coming, it’s very reassuring to go there for birth. Plus, is the only hospital with the option to move to a hotel room after birth. Yes a hotel room. Here’s a video from my Instagram.
But, due to the recent changes and closing units mentioned, Naistenklinikka is now the busiest hospital for birth. So I have experienced with clients long delays in scheduled inductions or cesarean births. And sadly, I must say also some medical mistakes and poor birthing person treatment in a couple of clients I’ve had in 2024.
What I personally dislike the most from Naistenklinikka is the after birth care – I have dozens of clients in lactation consultancy coming from there, with bad advice and terrible breastfeeding situations.
Can I have a doula with me in any birth hospital in Helsiki?
Yes you can!
Part of my job is to overcome the difference among hospitals, so you can stick to your birth intentions and remember your birth preferences. I will go with you to the hospital you are assigned, create your own birth room and atmosphere and connect with the professionals we find there, so they can join your birthing plan! I even already know some of the midwives here and there – we are now familiar faces 🙂
Check my doula packages here and get in touch if you want to schedule a free discovery call!